Tipping the Rental Car Shuttle Driver
 

I have been renting cars pretty regular over the last few years. I normally tip the driver if he takes my bags for me.

Last night, for the very first time, the driver told me he cannot accept tips :eek: This was with Enterprise. I told him that the drivers has always accepted the tips. He again repeated that they were not to take tips.

Sooooo....have I been foolishly tipping all along, when it was not necessary?

Is this the case with all Rental Car Shuttle drivers?

Yes, I think you were being foolish tipping the driver in the past. It's not a tip-able position.

I may have to re-think my Enterprise boycott.

Not a tip-able position?
 

Huh? I tip them a paltry $2 whether they touch my bags or not. Still cheaper than a taxi.

Just about everyone at Enterprise, including the shuttle bus drivers, is a "management trainee," so perhaps this is the reason they can't accept tips. Apparently most Enterprise employees perform a multitude of duties---even cleaning the cars.

Just what is a tip-able position?

As far as autos go, the only ones I tip are cab drivers and valet attendents.

We tip hotel shuttle drivers when they provide extra/outstanding service. Last summer we stayed at the Residence Inn in Portland and didn't have to move our car for 4 days - the shuttle driver installed a hotel owned car seat in their shuttle, and dropped us off and picked us up wherever we wanted to go. We tipped him well on our last ride. :cool:

I have tipped the bus driver in the past, especially if he or she is really kind or helpful. I don't tip those drivers who can't bother to give a polite hello and ask me clearly for my name to put into the Wizard computer (I rent Avis 95% of the time). But tipping in America is really getting out of hand. I know there are lots of jobs where people don't get paid much, and lots of hourly workers don't get health and retirement benefits like they do in some other countries. I am a very generous tipper when I do tip, but it seems like everything requires a tip now.

I drove a rental shuttle for a few months many years ago. I'd say about 1/3 of the customers tip, mostly where I helped with bags, or they were running late and I picked up the pace for them. It is not a "tipped position" in the US, so the drivers have to be paid at least the standard minimum wage, so tip if you feel they go the extra mile, but don't feel obligated.

i tip them if they load/unload my bags....those that just drive, no. you would have to go to them when there is a rear/middle door. tip is $1.

I tip the driver if he helps me with my bags.

Ditto... only if they help w/ bags... 1 per bag.

You tip those guys? It never even occured to me :confused:

I tip if they help with the bags, which is becoming rarer. I have on occasion tipped a driver just because he/she helped make my trip a little nicer. Providing information, being friendly or making a comment that makes think about somethinf besides being away from home "again".

Same here. In recent times I had very friendly and helpful drivers at Hertz and National.

I also tip 1 per bag, and in fact did so with an Enterprise driver going to/from RSW over Christmas. Neither of those drivers made a peep about being unable to accept!